Networking initiative for Island startups launched
P.E.I. startup companies now have another bridge they can cross to connect with off-Island talent, markets and capital.
P.E.I. Bridge is a joint initiative between Island Capital Partners and Startup Zone.
“Our mission is to build a global network of accomplished professionals and experienced entrepreneurs, across industries, to share their experiences and knowledge, and commit to helping P.E.I. companies,” said Alex MacBeath, CEO and managing partner of Island Capital Partners, who officially launched the initiative at Invest Atlantic in Charlottetown recently.
“It’s all about guidance. It’s all about mentoring and steering in
Six events are being planned by and for Evangeline area cooperators and co-operatives Oct. 14-20 on the occasion of Co-op and Small Business Week.
The big one is the Co-operators Forum at Centre Goeland in Cape Egmont on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 5:30 p.m.
Two representatives of each of the area’s co-ops are invited to attend to share their recent successes, challenges and future plans.
The Chez-nous Co-operative in Wellington will celebrate the event as well as its 25th anniversary with three events.
The first will be a mass for seniors celebrated by Father Eddie Cormier on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m. the right direction. It’s about connectivity and it’s about helping to scale the ecosystem and scale individual companies.”
On the mentoring side, MacBeath is aiming to have about 100 business professionals with national and international experience involved in the initiative. The mentors will be divided
On Thursday, Oct. 20, a co-op bingo will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
All seniors from the community are invited to attend. A light lunch will be served.
As an admission fee, attendees are invited to contribute non-perishable food items that will later be given to families in need.
On Friday, Oct. 19 the Cheznous will host its first ever dance for residents of the home and other local seniors from 7-9 p.m.
Credit Union Day will be held at all three branches of the Evangeline-Central Credit Union in Wellington, Tyne Valley and O’Leary on Thursday, Oct. 18. There will be draws, prizes and snacks. between professionals living or spending summers on P.E.I., and Islanders working nationally and internationally. The mentors will become involved by invitation only.
Early stage P.E.I. companies with significant growth potential that are interested in participating don’t have to be residents of Startup Zone or be involved with Island Capital Partners, said MacBeath, But they do have to undergo a screening process to determine if they are eligible to participate.
Besides startups and mentors, the initiative is also looking for P.E.I. Bridge sponsors – companies with a strong presence on the Island that are willing to provide financial support.
More information about the P.E.I. Bridge initiative as well as
People are also asked to come to the branches that day to drop off non-perishable items for the food drive.
The Wellington Co-op will host its fun day on Friday, Oct. 19. Customers will get a chance to participate in fun contests and win prizes. how to get involved can be found at peibridge.com.
MacBeath also co-chaired last week’s ninth annual Invest Atlantic networking event with Patrick Farrar, CEO of Startup Zone.
MacBeath said he was pleased with how the event turned out, especially in terms of putting investors and startup companies together in the same room, as well as giving P.E.I. companies more exposure.
“One of the things we wanted to do was attract investors more broadly than just P.E.I. and Atlantic Canada – from other parts of the country, which we did,” he said. “Some of those investors were interested in doing more deals in Atlantic Canada.”
The co-op will also be accepting food donations for the local food banks.
“An entrepreneur’s passion is what gets you through every day and it also helps you see the bigger vision,” said Minhas. “If you have a dream, absolutely, you can live it.”
Minhas started Mountain Crest Liquors Inc. (MCLI) when she was 19 and in 2002 she entered the beer market with Mountain Crest Classic Lager.
It became the first successful beer company to enter Canada in decades, with the brand now producing, developing and marketing more than 90 brands internationally while also having served more than six billion pints of beer.
She has since been profiled in Maclean’s and The Globe and Mail and was recently named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
Minhas is the author of the book “Brewing Up a Good Story” and has been named as one of Canada’s Women Executive Network’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs, Profit’s Top Growth Entrepreneur and Chatelaine’s Top Entrepreneur Woman of the Year.
The Biz2Biz Expo, co-sponsored by Arsenault Crozier and Stewart McKelvey, is a signature event of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and showcases about 125 exhibitors to nearly 2,500 attendees every year.